3 men arrested for sale of drugs in school

Three persons have been arrested for allegedly facilitating the sale of drugs in schools in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). They are Mark Opie, 21; John Lee Edmond, 23; and Okemmey Jervis, 23; and they are all of Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, Lethem, Region Nine. They were held with a parcel of suspected cannabis which had a total weight of 260 grams.
Reports are that, on May 3, officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) conducted an operation in the area, and it led to the discovery of a quantity of suspected cannabis. CANU explained that, subsequent to the report surfacing of students selling narcotics in schools in the district, its officers were able to apprehend several individuals who were suspected to be facilitators of these illegal activities.
On May 3, Guyana Times reported that investigations had found that school-aged children in Region Nine were engaged in the sale of illicit drugs. This prompted swift action by Police officers in the division, which has led to the arrest of the adults suspected to be giving the minors narcotics to sell. This was revealed by Regional Division Nine Commander, Superintendent Raphael Rose, during a conversation on policing, community relations, and partnerships in that region.
During a recent Police outreach in the Karasabai District, Commander Rose said, ranks were informed by a teacher of a teen boy being accosted with drugs while at school.
The teenager, he noted, indicated that an adult was giving him the narcotics to sell. Commander Rose said ranks interviewed the child, and were able to arrest the adult.
There was also a similar case in the Annai District, he revealed, adding that Police had received information about persons selling drugs at the Annai Secondary School. He added, “We received information from the teachers and other persons in the school, and we were able to arrest the adults who gave the children the [narcotics].”

Outreaches
In an effort to fight the drug scourge, Commander Rose said, “We continue to follow up with the schools by keeping daily outreaches with them, sensitising them in many areas, not just drugs alone, but teenage pregnancy… At times, we have reports of teenage pregnancy.” He said the Police in that division continuously work with schools and all the youths in the region.
To this end, an outreach was recently held at a playground in Lethem, during which Police ranks encouraged youths to do meaningful things with their lives and take part in the Police Force’s training programme. Most of them, Commander Rose said, signalled their intention to join the programme.